MAZDA STARTS PRODUCTION OF ALL-NEW MX-5 MIATA

HIROSHIMA,
Japan, May 18, 2005 -Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the May 17th
production kickoff of the all-new, third-generation 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata-the
latest and most advanced evolution of the world's best-selling two-seat, lightweight,
open-topped sports car. The MX-5 will continue to be built solely at the Ujina
No.1 (U1) plant located near Mazda's global headquarters.

The all-new MX-5 is the first new model to be mass-produced
at Mazda's U1 plant, which re-started paint shop operations at the end of April.
The first MX-5 off the line was a Third Generation Limited model bound for North
America, and painted Velocity Red with a red leather interior. It is outfitted
with a 16-valve, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, 170-hp engine and six-speed manual
transmission.

"A
new car launch is always a critical and exciting event for any car company,"
said Hisakazu Imaki, president and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation. "But
the launch of a brand icon like the MX-5 is particularly special. This is a
great moment for all Mazda employees - and a great day for car enthusiasts around
the world."

The all-new MX-5 has already been lauded as one of the hottest
new cars of 2005. First shown to the world in March at the 2005 Geneva Auto
Show, the MX-5 has since been featured prominently around the world. After its
US debut only weeks later at the Greater New York Auto Show, a similar Third
Generation Limited model recently completed a nine-city cross-country trip riding
atop a retired Chicago Fire Department fire truck - dubbed the "Hot Streak
Tour" - raising nearly $100,000 for fire-safety education along the way.

The third-generation of the record-setting MX-5 roadster is
an updated and improved version of the most popular two-seat, open-top sports
car of all time. In April 2005, the Guinness World Book of Records officially
recertified the MX-5 as the best-selling two-seat sports car ever. When production
of the second-generation model came to an end in December 2004, a total of 718,954
vehicles had been built. And there are now more on the way.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the
sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in
the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships
nationwide.